esperé
ess-peh-RAY
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Esperé dos horas en la cola del cine.
A1I waited two hours in the movie line.
Esperé tu llamada todo el día, pero no llegó.
A2I waited for your call all day, but it didn't come.
Esperé que el resultado fuera mejor, pero no tuvimos suerte.
B1I hoped the result would be better, but we weren't lucky.
💡 Grammar Points
A Completed Past Action
This form, 'esperé,' is the simple past (preterite). It tells you that the action of waiting started and finished completely at a specific time in the past.
The Crucial Accent Mark
The accent on the 'é' is vital! It distinguishes 'yo esperé' (I waited) from 'él/ella/usted espere' (Wait!/that he waits, which is a command or a special wish form).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Preterite vs. Imperfect
Mistake: "Usando 'yo esperaba' cuando se necesita 'yo esperé'."
Correction: Use 'esperé' when you waited and then the waiting finished ('Esperé media hora'). Use 'esperaba' when describing a background state or repeated action ('Siempre esperaba el bus allí').
⭐ Usage Tips
Waiting FOR Something
In Spanish, when you wait for a person or thing, you often just use the verb followed by the thing, or use 'a' for people: 'Esperé el tren' (I waited for the train); 'Esperé a mi amigo' (I waited for my friend).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: esperé
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'esperé'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'esperar' mean both 'to wait' and 'to hope'?
These two ideas are connected! When you hope for something, you are essentially waiting for it to happen. In Spanish, the single word 'esperar' covers both the physical act of waiting and the emotional state of hoping/expecting.
How do I know if 'esperé' means 'I waited' or 'I hoped'?
Context is key. If the sentence mentions a specific time or place (like a bus stop or a queue), it means 'I waited.' If the sentence involves an abstract idea or a desired outcome, it means 'I hoped' ('Esperé que todo saliera bien' - I hoped everything would turn out well).